{"id":482453,"date":"2026-01-21T07:53:35","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T12:53:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=482453"},"modified":"2026-01-21T04:45:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T09:45:17","slug":"nhl-prediction-january-21-anaheim-ducks-colorado-avalanche","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/21\/nhl-prediction-january-21-anaheim-ducks-colorado-avalanche\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Prediction: January 21st Anaheim Ducks vs Colorado Avalanche"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey<\/em> break down the slate using matchup context, recent form, and underlying data analytics to project likely outcomes. This edition of NHL Predictions focuses on a Western Conference matchup between the Anaheim Ducks and the Colorado Avalanche. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions throughout the 2025\u201326 season.<\/p>\n

NHL Predictions: Anaheim Ducks vs Colorado Avalanche<\/h2>\n

2025\u201326 Season Series: <\/strong>Avalanche lead 1\u20130<\/p>\n

Time:<\/strong> 9:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST); 6:00 p.m. Pacific<\/p>\n

How to Watch<\/a> \u2013 US TV:<\/strong> Altitude, Victory+, KCOP-13, ESPN+ | Canada TV:<\/strong> SN+<\/h3>\n

Location<\/strong>: Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado<\/p>\n

Setting the Stage<\/h3>\n

The Anaheim Ducks arrive in Denver at 25\u201321\u20133 playing some of their most complete hockey of the season. Anaheim has won four straight games, a sharp reversal from the nine-game skid that defined much of December. Importantly, this run has not been fueled by unsustainable finishing. Instead, it has come through structure, discipline, and a commitment to defending the middle of the ice. Even with Troy Terry<\/a> and Leo Carlsson<\/a> sidelined, the Ducks have found ways to stay competitive.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Colorado Avalanche continue to set the standard in the Western Conference and the league at 34\u20135\u20138. Colorado bounced back from a brief dip with a convincing win over Washington and remains one of the league\u2019s most dangerous home teams. With altitude, pace, and elite talent all working in their favour, the Avalanche enter this matchup firmly in control of the broader narrative.<\/p>\n

Anaheim Ducks Storyline<\/h3>\n

Anaheim\u2019s recent success has been built on restraint<\/a>. The Ducks have simplified their game, prioritized clean exits, and avoided the high-risk plays that previously led to extended defensive-zone sequences. Lukas Dostal<\/a> has benefited from that shift, facing manageable shot quality rather than constant chaos. Cutter Gauthier<\/a>\u2019s scoring surge has added timely offence, but the foundation of this run has been defensive buy-in rather than offensive volume.<\/p>\n

However, the margin remains thin. Anaheim still lacks depth scoring, and without Carlsson<\/a> and Terry, offensive creation is heavily concentrated among a small group. Furthermore, special teams continue to hover below league average. Against teams that struggle to finish, Anaheim can survive that profile. Against Colorado, it becomes a much tougher equation.<\/p>\n

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Anaheim goal!Scored by Cutter Gauthier with 18:59 remaining in the 3rd period.Assisted by Drew Helleson.Anaheim: 4New York: 2#NYRvsANA #FlyTogether #NYR<\/p>\n

— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social)<\/a> 2026-01-20T05:09:02.664986Z<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n